Monday, April 28, 2014

front porch perpending.

I'm currently sitting outside on my porch, warm breeze on my arms, and my second cup of coffee sitting beside me - I can smell it mingling with all the other spring fragrances on the air, the freshness of new growth and the promise of an imminent spring rain. I can't help but revel in the beauty of it all. My little daughter plays and sits with her favorite book beside me, and the dulcet tones of the fiddle, guitar, and mandolin sing out from my music to join with the joyful birds in their springtime song. It's all so idyllic and I have to pinch myself to remember that this is a Monday morning, not a lazy Saturday. But there's really not a huge difference in those two things for me anymore - instead of an alarm clock waking me up at 6:30 or earlier this morning, I got to sleep till Josie and I decided to wake up and cuddle for another 30 minutes before even getting out of bed. It's incredible the things you get to enjoy when you decide you want them and work hard to make them happen.

I love springtime - it's so full of life and newness and brings so much hope for renewal and rebirth. It's funny how we can get into such a funk in the winter, the sun never stays long enough and even when it does the frigidity of the season drives us to stay inside and sulk sometimes. But then spring comes, finally, and we have a Julie Andrews Sound of Music moment where we twirl in our front yard, exulting in the warmth and sunshine and shoots of new green leaves (Oh, that's just me? Well, you get it). It's just so refreshing after such a long, hard winter like we had this year and I rejoice in it!
My view this morning.

Now my sweet babe slumbers in my lap - she's getting so big that her legs just hang off my lap in sleep-rendered limpness. She's growing just as fast as those shoots of newness on the tree in my front yard and I am so glad that I don't have to miss a single second.
My other (better) view.


Enjoying this moment,


Caitlin

Monday, April 21, 2014

one year.

This past Wednesday was a big day. My little baby, my beautiful and sweet girl turned one! I cannot believe how quickly that year flew by, and here I am, a mother to a one-year-old. She has such a precious heart and a sweet disposition, and she's funny too! She's silly and loves to play around and have books read to her. She's almost walking - she easily could be by now, but she's a careful one and won't do it till she's sure she won't fall-- any day now though! She babbles up a storm all the time, and says 'Da-da' and 'Da-dee' regularly - only sometimes though is she actually calling for her Daddy. She's eating food now -- I'm making it all for her-- and her favorites include strawberries and sweet potatoes. She loves going for walks in Montreat, and I can't wait to show her how to play in the creeks this summer. Her Nana and Major were in town for her big day and she loved playing with them and being held by them, and having books read to her - not sure who enjoyed it more actually.

I am blessed daily in the knowledge that she is my daughter, and that I was picked specifically to be her mum. She is learning and growing every single day and I am so glad that I am able to be home with her and not miss a single minute of it. I have loved so much being a mother to Josie, and I am so excited to see with what else (and who else) God is going to bless our family.

Her birthday was full of love and family - she shares her day with her daddy, which is so special! She opened some presents smashed some whipped cream and fruit, and generally just made everyone happy-- she's great at that. She was tired, but so sweet the whole day. I just can't get over what an amazing disposition she has. I know God has big plans for this little girl, and I'm so honored to part of her life.